Alcoholism has been linked to an increased risk of suicide and self-harm. The findings of scientists at the University of California have been published in the journal BJPsych Open.

Researchers looked at data from nearly 15,000 people who were interviewed by psychiatrists about the amount of alcohol consumed and drinking patterns. The data were then compared to self-reported suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts and self-harm over the past year.

The authors observed that the expression of concern about alcohol abuse by loved ones was a major predictor of suicide and self-harm risk. For example, those whose friends, relatives or co-workers were anxious about their alcohol use were three times more likely to attempt suicide, 2.5 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts and 1.5 times more likely to have self-harm.